Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Is a Cat a Suitable Pet for a Young Family?

Cats have
always been a hugely popular choice of pet for people of all ages; they’re
loving, affectionate, interesting and relatively low maintenance in comparison
to many other pets.

Therefore if
you’re thinking of getting a pet for your family that includes young children,
you may have considered a cat. However, there are of course many important
things to think about, and you may have some concerns regarding how the two
will get on together, and whether a cat would pose harm to your young child.

Things to think about beforehand

Breed: many people often don’t realise
that cats can vary enormously depending on their breed, just like dogs.
Therefore it’s well worth doing some research into suitable cat
breeds for your family, as some are known for being much better with
children than others.

Age: the age of cat you go for can also
have a huge impact on their personality and the level of maintenance they
require. Whilst it may be extremely tempting to go for an adorable kitten, you
may be better off opting for an older cat as kittens will require thing like
toilet training and spaying and neutering. Consider how you’d feel about having
two newborns in the home!

There are also
a large number of perks of having a cat, especially for your young children in
their early life stages.

Advantages of having a cat

Reduced allergy risk: by having a cat
in your household, you can greatly reduce the risk of your child forming
allergies against animals and other common sources, as it aids their immune
system. Studies have shown that 30% of people who got a cat later in life were
allergic to them.

Companionship without maintenance: of
course, no pet is maintenance free, but cats are arguably one of the options
that require the least. For instance, they don’t need to go outside or for
walks to go to the toilet, they clean themselves very well, and they are
usually independent and are therefore happy to do as they please. They can be a
great way to introduce your children to companionship and responsibility as
they grow.

If you do have
your heart set on a cat, you’re certainly not alone as an estimated 19% of
households in the UK include a cat. Therefore we’ve also added some tips and
things to remember regarding living with a cat and a young child.

- Cats live for an average of 16 years so
therefore are great if you want a pet to grow with your child/family

- Take your cat for regular vet trips to keep them
healthy and to avoid the risk of them spreading any bacteria to your children

- Invest in good cat food and other products for
them rather than just buying the cheapest option. You can keep prices down by
looking into pet products online, too

-Cats don’t always enjoy round the clock
attention and will need their own time and space, which is important to explain
to children